On Monday, August 8, 2011, a 41-year-old longwall mechanic with nine years of mining experience was killed when he was struck in the chest by a piece of metal from the top of a base lift jack mounted on a longwall shield. The jack catastrophically failed resulting in the end cap separating from the cylinder and striking the victim.
Best Practices
- Do not alter hydraulic circuits in a manner that could result in the trapping of pressurized hydraulic fluid.
- When isolating hydraulic components for repair, ensure that the hydraulic system has a means to bleed the pressure from the components being repaired.
- Evaluate potential energy sources before working in tight spaces. Click on the following link for more information: MSHA – SLAM Risks the Smart Way – Safety and Health Outreach Program Home Page
- Ensure re-built components meet original equipment manufacturer (OEM) specifications.
- Ensure miners are adequately trained in proper maintenance procedures and plan requirements.
- Examine and periodically inspect all hydraulic components for defects.
- Ensure the ratings of hydraulic components are compatible with their intended use.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).